Just Eat UK has embarked on an ambitious trial of four-legged delivery robots, known as RIVR, in two cities: Milton Keynes and Bristol. This innovative initiative is designed to experiment with the potential of these autonomous delivery systems and evaluate their ability to successfully maneuver through urban communities.
The trial includes ten non-chain restaurants in each city. In Milton Keynes, voters will make a fine choice among distinguished nominees such as 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Shakes. Here in Bristol, Fishy’s, Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews, and Bishopston Fish Bar are among the local restaurants participating. The robots have been trained to navigate difficult urban challenges, such as missing sidewalks or stairs, demonstrating the agility and versatility of their mobility. Each RIVR robot features four legs, and each paw is equipped with micro wheels. This structure allows them to zoom effortlessly over many different outdoor terrains.
According to Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR, the importance of this trial cannot be underestimated. He stated, “The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations.” This collaboration between Just Eat UK and RIVR is a significant milestone in expanding the potential for autonomous delivery across European cities.
The trial really puts the robots to the test, as they begin to traverse the unknown of actual city environments. It judges how well they engage with restaurant staff. In the testing phase, people will be interacting with the robots outside the restaurants that have agreed to participate. This hands-on approach seeks to capture data to get the best insights into the operational logistics that go into making a successful autonomous delivery.
At the start of 2023, a comparable pilot program was launched in Switzerland, where almost 1,000 autonomous deliveries were completed successfully. As a result of this success, even more automated delivery systems are being explored and developed for use in urban areas. The test phase of delivery drones continues over in Ireland. This is further evidence of a trend across the food delivery industry toward automation.